TEXTURED FLORAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY

I’m venturing into a bit of a shabby chic look today. It’s out of my usual style, but not too far out. I’ve used my favorite sheet of Earthen Elegance DSP as a base for the card and added a few stems from the Textured Floral dies.

A handmade card with 3 plant stems and the text "wishing you the happiest of birthdays"
  • Stamps: Charming Sentiments, Queen Bee, Lighting the Way
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lost Lagoon, Pebble Path
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Textured Floral dies, Earthen Elegance DSP, Linen Thread, Pebble Path Textured Ribbon, Stampin’ Trimmer, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The DSP really sets the tone for the background. I used a variety of stamps from Queen Bee and Lighting the Way to add more texture, stamping them off and layering them.

A handmade card with 3 plant stems and the text "wishing you the happiest of birthdays"

I could have cut all 3 die cuts separately and layered them, but no, I had to do it the hard way. I put them together along the edge of a Lost Lagoon panel and ran them through the Big Boss part way, stopping before they cut through the edge. I used my Stampin’ Trimmer to cut a straight line across the panel, leaving just the stems attached. That panel got the same background texture treatment as the DSP.

A handmade card with 3 plant stems and the text "wishing you the happiest of birthdays"

I finished it off with Pebble Path ribbon and Linen thread. The inside has a simple set of lines to create a custom look – it’s a handmade card, isn’t it?

To order supplies for your own handmade cards, shop the Online Store.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone. Let me know if you need a copy, or shop it online!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

HAPPY WORLD CARD MAKING DAY!

If it’s not yet 2pm Mountain Time when you’re reading this, hop over to www.StampinUp.com and check out the free World Card Making day event! (If it’s after 5pm MT, the event is over, carry on.)

Are you ready for one more Pick of the Patch card? I switched up my favorite layout from landscape to portrait and played with some new colors. Honestly, this is the most fun I’ve had with a card sketch in ages!

A handmade card with pumpkins designs and the sentiment “you're the pick of the patch”
  • Stamps: Pick of the Patch
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Old Olive, Pretty Peacock, Garden Green, Pebbled Path, Boho Blue
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Timeworn Type Embossing Folder, Pick of the Patch Builder Punch, Joy of Christmas DSP, Classic Matte Dots, Pebble Path Jute Trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Here’s a link to the landscape version. The change in DSP is pretty significant. The Joy of Christmas DSP is much bolder than Earthen Elegance, but the colors are also deeper and more vibrant. I was pleased to see how versatile that “Christmas” paper could be – I love all the layers!

A handmade card with pumpkins designs and the sentiment “you're the pick of the patch”

I decided against fussy cutting of those swirls (again). I did it once and that was enough. They stamp directly on the card quite nicely. I don’t mind fussy cutting, but the inside curves on those made me cranky. Not worth it.

A handmade card with pumpkins designs and the sentiment “you're the pick of the patch”

I love to add a little “what’s inside” hint on the outside of the envelope. I repeated the same image on the inside of the card – because it’s handmade and I can do that!

A handmade card with pumpkins designs and the sentiment “you're the pick of the patch”

Are you sold on Pick of the Patch yet? I certainly am. If you need your own, shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

SEASON OF CHIC: PINK ALOHA

I’ve wanted to make a lei-style card for a while. After I used this flower from Season of Chic for a couple of other cards, I decided to try stringing it into a lei. I’m not perfectly satisfied, but I think it’s a decent start:

A long pink watercolor wash card with a flower lei and the text "aloha"
  • Stamps: Season of Chic, Alphabest
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Moody Mauve, Petal Pink, Lost Lagoon, Shaded Spruce
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Chic dies, Stampin’ Blends, Irridescent Rhinestone gems, Daubers, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Watercolor Paper

I’m not sure what this blossom is, but it doesn’t look like any lei flowers I’m familiar with! Let’s call it Artistic License. The outline is inked in Moody Mauve, and the fill stamp is inked in Petal Pink. I added a light wash of Moody Mauve applied with a dauber and then lightly misted before stamping on watercolor paper. Let’s have a cheer for two-step stampin’!

A long pink watercolor wash card with a flower lei and the text "aloha"

I am so envious of those artists who are able to create beautiful watercolor washes. I’ve tried more times than I care to acknowledge, and it never comes out the way I see it in my mind. For this card, I used the lightest Petal Pink Stampin’ Blend on Basic White card stock.

A long pink watercolor wash card with a flower lei and the text "aloha"

This card needs a custom envelope, and I found just the thing in my stash of retired papers. I’m quite pleased to found something that coordinated so well! (I’m also pleased to have one less sheet of DSP in my retired stash – it’s a bit overwhelming.)

We have so many beautiful flowers in our stamp offering, and you probably have one that would be perfect for this technique. On the off chance you don’t, you’re welcome to shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

OCTOBER 2023 DIY: PICK OF THE PATCH

I am absolutely smitten with Pick of the Patch. I don’t usually get too excited about Halloween (sorry, Robbie!) but there’s something about the images in this set that has me reaching for it again and again. I’m going to enjoy it all month.

A small square calendar for October 2023 with 4 pumpkins and a small bird.
  • Stamps: Pick of the Patch
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Garden Green
  • Accessories: Pick of the Patch Builder Punch, Adhesive backed solid gems, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Did you see my non-traditional pumpkins in September? I had such fun with those colors, but for October I decided to stick with colors you might see in the pumpkin patch.

A small square calendar for October 2023 with 4 pumpkins and a small bird.

For the card, I fussy cut those swirls. Didn’t really feel like doing that again 😆 so I stamped them right onto the calendar. I’m equally happy with the results, and I’m thrilled that I didn’t have to fussy cut those buggers again.

A small square calendar for October 2023 with 4 pumpkins and a small bird.

Take a look to see what Cheryl and Crystal are sharing for October DIY!

I’ve had quite a few requests for the 2024 calendar template. Many people know I actually do live on Maui, and the past month or so has been emotionally hard. I’m the first to say that I am very fortunate to have not been directly impacted by the fire, but everyone who lives here is impacted in one way or another. I appreciate your patience – I’ll be making the template available later this month.

Now: if you need your own Pick of the Patch, shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

SEASIDE BAY THANKS

I made this card some time ago and it has languished at the bottom of…well, you don’t really need me to finish that sentence, do you? Fortunately, I’ve unearthed it and can share it with you today:

A white card with a bird and seashells and the phrase "Thank you for everything"
  • Stamps: Seaside Bay, Charming Sentiments
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Gray Granite, Petal Pink, Flirty Flamingo, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Seaside Bay Dies, Sentiment Silhouettes dies, Basics 3D Embossing Folders, Silver Metallic Mesh, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Truth? I just started cutting a bunch of the Seaside Bay dies in different colors to play with. These elements are easy to layer, and it was fun to play with different colored shells. But my favorite part is the grid texture – I can imagine so many ways to use it.

The Silver Mesh was on the Clearance Rack recently – did you stock up? It’s a really versatile element because you can tie it like ribbon or tease it apart and use it as a texture.

A white card with a bird and seashells and the phrase "Thank you for everything"

I’ve had Seaside Bay for a while, but it’s taken me a while to ink it up. Does that happen to you? So many stamps…

If you’re ready to give it a run, shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

SUNFLOWER BIRTHDAY

Have you used the Abundant Beauty Decorative masks? They are such a delight to work with! This card is quick and fun and will leave you wanting to make more:

A handmade card with floral designs and the sentiment “wishing you the happiest of birthdays”
  • Stamps: Charming Sentiments
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Poppy Parade, Lemon Lolly, Pecan Pie, Garden Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Sentiment Silhouettes dies, Abundant Beauty Decorative Masks, Blending Brushes, 23-25 In Color Dots, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The masks have notches to help you get perfect placement every time. And the Charming Sentiments stamps and their coordinating dies give you the fussy cut look without the fuss! 💕

A handmade card with floral designs and the sentiment “wishing you the happiest of birthdays”

You would be surprised at how much fun it is to play with color combinations with these masks! This is therapy at it’s finest – and cheapest too!

I think I like playing with the masks even more than making the end result into cards. This could become a problem. Ah well, I’ll worry about that another day!

A handmade card with floral designs and the sentiment “wishing you the happiest of birthdays”

If you need your own set of Abundant Beauty Masks, shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

MAUI STRONG

One of my Maui Stamper teammates made this beautiful card. I told her I couldn’t send it, that I would keep it on top of my desk.

An outline of a black tree with a banner and the text "Maui Strong"

Sherri used the retired tree dies from Inspiring Canopy. If you’re not familiar with the Lahaina Banyan, it’s a historic tree in the center of Lahaina town. It was badly burned during the August 8 fire, and the world has been watching as an army of specialists has worked to save it. There are new leaves sprouting on the banyan, which gives us all such hope.

An outline of a black tree with a banner and the text "Maui Strong"

Thank you, Sherri, for sharing this reminder to be hopeful. 💕

An outline of a black tree with a banner and the text "Maui Strong"

If you’d like to support the ongoing recovery on Maui, please consider a gift to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. They are a very reputable organization that has already distributed over $19 million dollars to the community. Visit their site to learn more.

You might also like to support the Maui Humane Society. They have worked tirelessly to locate animals in the fire zone, treat them, and reunite them with their families. The stories are heart breaking as well as heart warming.

Mahalo.

PICK OF THE PATCH

Stampin’ Through the Catalog featured Pick of the Patch this week for their challenge (try it, you’ll like it) and I loved the inspiration project so much I made my own version:

A white card with 3 pumpkins in grey and teal and the words "you're the pick of the patch"
  • Stamps: Pick of the Patch
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Smoky Slate, Lost Lagoon, Pebble Path, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Exposed Brick Embossing Folder, Pick of the Patch Builder Punch, Earthen Elegance DSP, Classic Matte Dots, Pebble Path Jute Trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals

See the inspiration HERE. How do you like my version?

A white card with 3 pumpkins in grey and teal and the words "you're the pick of the patch"

I fussy cut that funny gourd-like pumpkin and the swirls (ugh, not sure I would do that 25 times! But once was ok.) The Earthen Elegance DSP provides lots of interesting texture for layers, including the sentiment panel.

MauiStamper, a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator A handmade card using the Pick of the Patch bundle. Products are available in the 23-24 Annual Catalog and the Sept-Dec Mini Catalog.

Have you played along with a challenge lately? I’d love it if you shared your favorites with me.

And if you need your own Pick of the Patch, shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

INKED BOTANICALS FUN FOLD

Production is not my jam, but I made 20 of these cards for a Fun-Fold swap at Stampin’ Up! leadership last month in Las Vegas. My absolute FAVE Inked Botanicals DSP was the star of this Square Double Z-Fold card.

A handmade card with floral designs and the sentiment “Hello Friend”
  • Stamps: Inked & Tiled
  • Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Lost Lagoon, Calypso Coral, Flirty Flamingo, Crushed Curry
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Scalloped Contour dies, Inked Botanicals DSP, Daubers, Linen Thread, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin’ Blends

There’s a bit of cutting involved to get all the pieces, but after that it’s pretty much glue, glue, glue! The paper does all the heavy lifting for this card. Because I made so many, I did some mixing and matching of color and pattern:

The pattern across the bottom is the same, but I used 3 different Lost Lagoon papers for the front. There were also variations for the Crushed Curry panel on the inside.

The card base is 8 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ scored at 2 1/8″ and 4 1/4″. The narrow band across the bottom is 8 1/2″ x 1 1/4″ with the same scoring. All DSP is 1/8″ narrower on both sides to create a narrow margin for the mat. I chose a rectangular panel from Scalloped Contour dies for my focal point, but many other shapes would work well.

Have you made a Z-fold? A Double Z? I’d love to know how you coordinated the panels. And if you need some of that yummy Inked Botanicals Designer Series paper, shop the Online Store. Tell them I sent you 😁

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

AUGUST 2023: BIRD’S EYE VIEW

Oh these chunky little birds have stolen my heart! There’s something about the Bird’s Eye View crew that enchants me. These three are colored with Stampin’ Blends, and there’s a little color riddle in this calendar – do you see it?

A Handmade calendar page for August with 3 birds colored blue, yellow and green.
  • Stamps: Bird’s Eye View, Easter Bunny
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lime Twist, Azure Afternoon
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Masking Paper

I’m always torn when new birdies show up in the catalog, because I might already have a *few* bird stamps. But I’m certain I don’t have any birds wearing glasses, so that gave me the justification I needed to add The View to my Stampin’ Collection.

After I stamped this little family, I decided they needed something upon which to stand. Fortunately, the Easter Bunny was more than willing to share a little grass, and masking paper made sure the grass remained in the background.

A Handmade calendar page for August with 3 birds colored blue, yellow and green.

I know I say this every month, but this month I will REALLY enjoy my desktop calendar!! Be sure and see what Cheryl and Crystal have done this month. And if you don’t have your own Bird’s Eye View Crew, I think it’s time you shop the Online Store.

A red, blue, white and pink graphic with the text "Ready Set Redeem" and "it's time to use those coupons you earned! You can redeem your $5 coupons between 1-31 August.

Beginning today, August 1st, you can redeem your Bonus Days coupons! Your unique codes, delivered by email in July with your $50 order, can be spent through August 31st.

Online Exclusives are HERE. These Limited Edition products are fresh, seasonal, and sure to sell quickly – don’t wait to SHOP!

Be sure to subscribe by August 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! This kit includes 8 cards, 4 each of 2 designs, and 8 coordinating envelopes. The kit is special because of the way it uses the meaning of flowers. On each card, you’ll find a small inscription of what the flowers represent.

"Paper Pumpkin" on red banner, "Meaningful Flowers" in blue on a pale blue background with images of stamped flowers

And don’t wait, because anyone who subscribes to this month’s kit will get a FREE stamp set! This Distinktive stamp set is perfect for a variety of occasions! 

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.